CATTLEYA GASKELLIANA ALBA. 
[PuaTe 353]. 
Native of Venezuela. 
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs clustered, erect, clavate, smooth when young, becoming 
furrowed with age, from six inches to a foot high, monophyllous and evergreen. 
Leaves oblong obtuse, coriaceous in texture, and of a rich bright green colour. 
Scape issuing from between a narrowly oblong sheath, two, or more flowered. 
Flowers large and pure white, saving the throat, which is pale yellow, the anterior 
lobe of the lip being prettily frilled round the margin. 
CATTLEYA GASKELLIANA ALBA, supra. 
We have much pleasure in introducing to our subscribers one of the most 
beautiful forms of the very variable Cattleya Gaskelliana, its white flowers being a 
great acquisition in the genus to which it belongs; it is quite distinct from the 
typical plant, and from every other white-flowered Cattleya. The species is named 
in honour of Holbrook Gaskell, Esq., of Woolton, near Liverpool, the possessor of 
a very fine collection of orchidaceous plants. Since this species was first discovered, 
numerous large importations have come to hand, from amongst which many fine forms 
have appeared. Indeed, it appears to be extremely variable in the colour of its 
flowers, so much so that no two plants are exactly alike; this variability is 
especially welcome, as it naturally blooms at a season when Orchid flowers of all 
kinds are scarce. It is a free-growing and a profuse-blooming kind, and we hope 
shortly to be enabled to figure the typical plant in these pages. The plate before 
us was taken from an extremely fine plant, grown in the collection of R. H. 
Measures, Esq., the Woodlands, Streatham. 
Cattleya Gaskelliana alba is a new and grand variety; it is compact in habit. 
of growth, and the colour is a lively green. The flowers are large, and wholly 
pure white, saving the yellow in its throat, which affords a pleasing contrast with 
its pure white sepals and petals. It blooms during the months of July and August, 
and continues in full beauty some three or four weeks, that is if the flowers are 
kept from damp; great attention should be given to this, as white flowers are so 
easily disfigured if allowed to become damp. Moisture should not be distributed in 
the house where Orchids in flower are arranged, at any time when the temperature 
is low. We frequently see and hear of Orchid growers embellishing their 
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